Acetylene-generating apparatus.



H. W. JACOBS & H. H. LANNING.

ACETYLENE GENERATING APPARATUS.

APPUCATION FILED MMLZB. I914. 1,15%,512. Patentedsept. 7, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET l- COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

HENRY W. JACOBS AND HOWARD H. LANNING, OF TOPEK A, KANSAS.

ACETYLENE-G-ENERATING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HENRY W. JACOBS and HOWARD H. LANNING, citizens of the United States, residing at Topeka, in, the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Generating Apparatus, of which the following is a descrip tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of our specification.

Our invention relates more especially to means intended for use in connection with the generating cells of an acetylene generating apparatus and the like; being especially intended to securely lock or hold the covers of the generating cells in place and simul taneously affect the valve-mechanism whereby the water supply is controlled in its p assage to the generating cells; the ob ect belng to provide a construction whereby the fluid or water cannot flow into the generating cells while the cover or covers are open or unlocked, as will be more fully understood from the following detailed description thereof.

In the drawings :Figure l is a plan view of our improvement shown'applied to a generating cell of an acetylene generating V apparatus, the water-supply and gas takeoff conduits being shown broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, showing the cover and means in closed or looking position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof showing the cover and'means in unlocking position. Fig; 4 is a plan view of a modified form of our construction. Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof showing the cover holding portion in closed or looking position, while the valvecontrol portion is in open position. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the means in unlocking position.

Inthe particular eXemplification of our invention as illustrated in the drawings, we show it applied to a'singlecell of an acetylene'generator and more particularly to the type wherein acetylene is generated by feeding water to the calcium carbid.

The invention is especially adapted for use in connection with the covers of the generating cells; one of its functions being to securely hold the cover in closed position; the construction and arrangement being such that the position of the means will affect and determine the position of the valve or Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 7, 1915.

Application filed March 23, 1914. Serial No. 826,661.

' water surrounding the cell 10. The cell 10 may be of any desired form, being preferably shown in the nature of a cylindrical casing permanently closed at its one end, where it is shown provided with a suitable bracket 12, which rests upon a bracket 13 secured to the rear wall of the cooling chamber 11, whereby it receives proper support,

while the forward end .of the cell is made to extend through the front wall of the cooling chamber. The forward extended end of the cell is provided with a suitable cover or lid 14 which is shown to swing in a ver tical direction. The cover or lid 14 is preferably provided with an upwardly extend ing lug 15 curved rearwardly as shown so as to be brought into juxtaposition with the lug 16 which is preferably formed integral with the extended end of the cell or casing, as very clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lug 16 is preferably provided'with a horizontally disposed slot as shown at 17, in Figs. 2 and 3, through which the hingeforming pin 18 extends, thus permitting slight horizontal play between the lugs, or rather of the pin 18 in the slot 17, and thereby enable the cover let to uniformly bear against its seat on the end of the cell; in other words, the construction is such that the lower on unhinged partof the cover may be placed under the same pressure as the upper. orliin'ged part thereof and thus permit a gas-tight connection between the cover and the end of the cellbeing effected.

Pivotally secured to the outer end of the cell 10, and at points preferably diametrically opposite each other, is a yoke 19 which is free to swing upwardly as indicated in Fig. 3; being held against downward m0vement, that is, below thehorizontal plane of its pivots, by suitable lugs or webs 20 which may be formed integral with or secured to the cover 14 the webs or lugs 20 preventing otally secured at the p'oint 22-between the inwardly presented lugs 23 formed integral with theyoke 19 the internally threaded socket member 24: pivotally secured to the cover 14; and the oppositely threaded screw.

25 which practically constitutes a turn-buckle connection.

- It is evident from the construction shown and described, that rotation of screw in onedirection will place the cover 1% under pressure, so that when the yoke 19 isswung downwardly into the' horizontal position shown Figs' 1 and 2, the cover 14 will beheld against the end of the cell 10 with the necessary pressure. thereon to maintain a gas-tight" connection. It will be further evident fromthe construction shown and described that after screw 25 has .been adjusted, thenecessary' pressure will instantly 20 be'obtained as soon as the yoke has been moved into the horizontal or looking position. V

I One side of the yoke 19 is provided with a l ug' 26, preferably at a point-in proximity to F the pivotal point of theyoke, as very clearly shown in Figs. 2"and 3, which is adapted to engage withthe link 27 pivotally secured at the ,pofint28' tothe side of the cell. The link is preferably provided with a curvature at a point infproximity to itspivotal point 28,1'to correspond with the arc described by lug or projection 26 when the yoke is oscillated,'in order to permit the complete upwardmovement of yoke19 into the unlocking'position shown in Fig. 3. The link 27 is pivotallysecured'at its upper end to link 29 which 'latter is pivotally secured to rod coveran'd the holding mechanism have been, 'movedrto looking or closed position, thus enabling the valves 33 and 3st to be der to provide a'suitable grasp wh'erebythe rod may berecipro'c'ated, by hand after the I moved to open position and permit the water or fluid to pass through conduits 35 and 36 respectively. The connection between the; valvesa'nd' the various rods or links is such that when the valves are in open position, the'links or rods will be presented forwardly into the position shown 7 in Fig. 2, 'thus'bringing the link or member 27 into contact with or'in close proximity to the projection or lug 26 on the yoke 19,

so that the unlocking of the cover of the cell will simultaneously operate the water controlling valve-mechanism and thus prevent theundesirable flow of fluid or water through conduits 35 and36 at a time when access to the cell or chamber 10 is desired. The curvature provided in the link 27 permits the link to be pivoted into close proximity to the point of the yoke, and at the same time permits the lug or projection 26 to swing through the arc of a circleduring the lifting movement of yoke 19 and. the cover It into the'positionillustrated in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 4 to (3, inclusive, we show a modified form of the invention, wherein the cell is provided with the water supply conduits 35" and 36 fed by means of a single conduit 37 and the branch or line 37. In this construction the conduit 37 at a point in advance of conduit or supply pipe 35 is provided with a suitable valve 38, which may either be spring-controlled or gravity operated and provided with a depending stem or rod 39 adapted to extend down along the side of the forward end of the cell orchamber 10, as very clearly illustrated in Fig. 5;' the length of the stem being substantially equal to the distance between the I Valve 38 and the horizontal plane in which the pivotal point of yoke 19 is located.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4: to 6 inclusive, the yoke 19 and the cover 14 are arranged to swing in opposite directions, and, therefore,independent of one another, so far as movement is concerned. In this construction, the cover 14: is provided with a similar lug l5 arranged to extend downwardly instead of upwardly and curved so as to be brought intojuxtaposition with the lug 16 formed on the under side of the forward end of the cell or chamber 10; the lug 16, like lug 16, being provided with a horizontally disposed slot 17 adapted to receive the hinge-pin of the cover and at the same time permit slight horizontal movement at the lower side of the cover in order that equal pressure may be exerted on all points of the cover through the applicatioi'i of the turn-buckle mechanism composed of the threaded socket member 2 1*, which is pivotally secured in a suitable manner to the yoke 19 and receives the oppositely threaded screw 25 on the opposite end ,of which is secured the internally threaded socket member 21, the free end whereof may be provided with the laterally disposed projections 21 The laterally disposed projections 21 more clearly shown in Fig. l, are. adapted to extend into the socket 40 provided on the cover let, the socket 40 being preferably shown provided by means of the lug or projection centrally disposed on the cover as very clearly shown in Fig. (3. The yoke 19 is provided with a projection 41 beyond the pivotal point of the yoke as clearly shown in Fig. 5; the projection 41 being arranged to extend into the vertical plane of the depending stem 39 of valve 38, so as to come into engagement with the ll (l -generating apparatus.

leer-ere lower end of stem 39 when the yoke 19 is swung downwardly into the horizontally locked position indicated in Fig. 5. Like the construction shown in the first figures of the drawings, the cover 14* may be provided with the lugs or lobes 520 at a point beneath the horizontal plane of the pivotal point of the yoke, so as to prevent movement of the yoke below the horizontal plane of the center of the cover, namely beyond what may be termed"dead center position.

It is evident from the construction just described, as illustrated in Figs. 4: to 6 inclusive, that when it is desired to have access to the generating cell, it will be necessary to lift yoke 19 upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6, which will move the pressure applying turn-buckle mechanism out of contact with the cover 1& and allow the latter to be swung downwardly as indicated in Fig. (5. The upward movement of yoke 19 will swing its rearward extension or lug 41 through the arc of a circle and out of contact with the lower end of stem 39, thus permitting gravity, or other forces, to move the valve 38 to closed position,thereby shutting off the flow of fluid or water from conduit 37 into conduits 35" and 36 by means of the connection or branch 37. As soon as it is desired to start generation in the cell, namely after the cell has been recharged with proper calcium carbid, the cover is swung to closed position and the yoke dropped into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5, simultaneously swinging the free end of the turnbuckle connection into the socket 10 of the cover, whereby the proper or determined pressure will be applied to the cover. The movement of the yoke into the horizontal position brings the extension or lug 4L1 upwardly into contact with the lower end of stem 39 and lifts the valve against the exerting forces, thus allowing the fluid or water to pass from conduit 37 into the respective conduits leading to the cell.

We have shown and described our invention applied to go erating cells receiving their water supplies at, opposite ends; but it will be readily understood that any number of supply pipes and valves may be provided and the valve mechanism controlled substantially as herein shown and described; the invention being more particularly intended to prevent the improper flow of water to the generating cells of an acetylene It will be understood, however, that the invention may be applied to devices of a different character wherein it is desirable to have the position of the cover determine the position of a valve or valves controlling the passage of a fluid into the receptacle.

We have shown and described what we believe to be the simplest and best forms of thereof, means pivotally the invention, but it will be understoodthat modifications might be made without, however, departing from the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish therefore to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact construction shown and described.

What we claim is 1. In an apparatus ofthe class described, having a generating cell provided with a cover and one or more water conduits leading to the cell, said conduits being provided with shut-off valves, a member pivotally secured to the cell, means pivotally secured to said member and arranged to have operative relation with the cover, sai'd' means being adjustable lengthwise thereof so that movement of the member and means into parallel position will exert predetermined pressure on the cover and maintain the latter, in closed position, and means intermediate of the shut-oil valves and said member whereby movement of the latter out of said parallel position will induce closure of said valves.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, having one or more generating cells provided with one or more water supply conduits having a shut-oil valve, the generating cell being provided with a cover at one end secured to the cell and adapted to move across the cover, means having operative relation with the first mentioned means and the cover and being adjustable in a lengthwise direction whereby predetermined pressure will be exerted on he cover when the first mentioned and second mentioned means are brought into parallel position, and means intermediate of the shutoff valve and the first mentioned means whereby movement of the latter out of said parallel position will afiect the third mentioned means and induce closure of the valve.

3. In combination with a generating cell provided with one or more water supply conduits, a valve in said conduit for controlling the water supply for the cell, and a cover for said cell, of means pivotally secured to the cell andarranged to be moved over the cover, a portionof said means being adjustable and adapted to operatively' engage with said cover so that movement of said means into a position substantially at right angles to the cover will apply predetermined pressure thereto, and means intermediate of the first mentioned means and said valve whereby the latter will move to closed position when the first mentioned means is moved out of the pressure applying position.

4:- In combination with a generating cell provided with a cover and a water supply conduit, said conduit being provided with a valve whereby passage through the conduit maybe controlled, of a member pivotally secured to the cell and arranged to move of said member, and means intermediate of said portion and said valve and arranged to be affected by said portion so that when said memberis moved out of said right angular position closureof the valve will be eiiecte I I 5. In combination with a receptacle provided with a cover and a fluid delivering conduit a valve in said conduit for controllinglthe flow. therethrough, of a yoke pivotally secured to said receptacle so as to swing through the arc of a circle, turnbuckle mechanism pivotally secured to said yoke and arranged to bear against the cover when the yoke and turn-buckle mechanism are brought into parallel position, saidyoke being provided with a lug, and means intermediate of said valve and said lug, the relation of said means and lug being such that movement of the yoke out of parallel posi- Copi es'of this patent maybe obtained for tion with the turn-buckle mechanism will induce closure of said valve and release pressure on said cover.

6. In combination with a receptacle provided with a fluid containing conduit having a valve, and a cover, of a yoke pivotally secured to said receptacle and arranged to move through the arc of a circle over said cover, extensible means arranged to exert pressure intermediate of the yoke and the cover when the yoke and said means are arranged parallel, and means intermediate of said valve and yoke adapted to be affected by said yoke when the latter is moved out of parallel position with the first mentioned means whereby closure of said valve will be effected.

HENRY \V. JACOBS. HOWARD H. LANNING.

Witnesses to signature of Henry W. Jacobs:

WVILLIAM J LEIGI-ITY, ERNEs'r CORDEAL. Witnesses to signature of Howard H. Lanning:

H. 0,.Roemrrso1v, J. H. MoRoBnRTs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0'. 

